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Bartle L, Wellinger RJ. Methods that shaped telomerase research. Biogerontology 2024; 25:249-263. [PMID: 37903970 PMCID: PMC10998806 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10073-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase, the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) responsible for telomere maintenance, has a complex life. Complex in that it is made of multiple proteins and an RNA, and complex because it undergoes many changes, and passes through different cell compartments. As such, many methods have been developed to discover telomerase components, delve deep into understanding its structure and function and to figure out how telomerase biology ultimately relates to human health and disease. While some old gold-standard methods are still key for determining telomere length and measuring telomerase activity, new technologies are providing promising new ways to gain detailed information that we have never had access to before. Therefore, we thought it timely to briefly review the methods that have revealed information about the telomerase RNP and outline some of the remaining questions that could be answered using new methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Bartle
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Applied Cancer Research Pavilion, 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Raymund J Wellinger
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Applied Cancer Research Pavilion, 3201 rue Jean-Mignault, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E 4K8, Canada.
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2
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Borges G, Benslimane Y, Harrington L. A CRISPR base editing approach for the functional assessment of telomere biology disorder-related genes in human health and aging. Biogerontology 2024; 25:361-378. [PMID: 38310618 PMCID: PMC10998809 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-024-10094-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Telomere Biology Disorders (TBDs) are a group of rare diseases characterized by the presence of short and/or dysfunctional telomeres. They comprise a group of bone marrow failure syndromes, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and liver disease, among other diseases. Genetic alterations (variants) in the genes responsible for telomere homeostasis have been linked to TBDs. Despite the number of variants already identified as pathogenic, an even more significant number must be better understood. The study of TBDs is challenging since identifying these variants is difficult due to their rareness, it is hard to predict their impact on the disease onset, and there are not enough samples to study. Most of our knowledge about pathogenic variants comes from assessing telomerase activity from patients and their relatives affected by a TBD. However, we still lack a cell-based model to identify new variants and to study the long-term impact of such variants on the genes involved in TBDs. Herein, we present a cell-based model using CRISPR base editing to mutagenize the endogenous alleles of 21 genes involved in telomere biology. We identified key residues in the genes encoding 17 different proteins impacting cell growth. We provide functional evidence for variants of uncertain significance in patients with TBDs. We also identified variants resistant to telomerase inhibition that, similar to cells expressing wild-type telomerase, exhibited increased tumorigenic potential using an in vitro tumour growth assay. We believe that such cell-based approaches will significantly advance our understanding of the biology of TBDs and may contribute to the development of new therapies for this group of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Borges
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Molecular Biology Programme, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Yahya Benslimane
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Molecular Biology Programme, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Lea Harrington
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Molecular Biology Programme, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada.
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3
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Wang LJ, Liu WJ, Wang LY, Ho YP, Han Y, Li DL, Zhang CY. Construction of an Enzymatically Controlled DNA Nanomachine for One-Step Imaging of Telomerase in Living Cells. Anal Chem 2024; 96:4647-4656. [PMID: 38441540 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Telomerase is a basic reverse transcriptase that maintains the telomere length in cells, and accurate and specific sensing of telomerase in living cells is critical for medical diagnostics and disease therapeutics. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time the construction of an enzymatically controlled DNA nanomachine with endogenous apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) as a driving force for one-step imaging of telomerase in living cells. The DNA nanomachine is designed by rational engineering of substrate probes and reporter probes embedded with an enzyme-activatable site (i.e., AP site) and their subsequent assembly on a gold nanoparticle (AuNP). Upon recognition and cleavage of the AP site in the substrate probe by APE1, the loop of the substrate probe unfolds, exposing telomeric primer (TP) with the 3'-OH end. Subsequently, the TP is elongated by telomerase at the 3'-OH end to generate a long telomeric product. The resultant telomeric product acts as a swing arm that can hybridize with a reporter probe to initiate the APE1-powered walking reaction, ultimately generating a significantly enhanced fluorescence signal. Notably, endogenous APE1 is used as the driving force of the DNA nanomachine, avoiding the introduction of exogenous auxiliary cofactors into the cellular microenvironment. Owing to the high kinetics and high amplification efficiency of the APE1-powered DNA nanomachine, this strategy enables one-step sensitive sensing of telomerase in vitro and in vivo. It can successfully discriminate telomerase activity between cancer cells and normal cells, screen telomerase inhibitors, and monitor the variations of telomerase activity in living cells, offering a prospective platform for molecular diagnostics and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Wen-Jing Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Lu-Yao Wang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Yi-Ping Ho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
| | - Yun Han
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Dong-Ling Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
| | - Chun-Yang Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China
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4
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Yin J, Wu K, Yu Y, Zhong Y, Song Z, Chang C, Liu G. Terahertz Photons Inhibit Cancer Cells Long Term by Suppressing Nano Telomerase Activity. ACS NANO 2024; 18:4796-4810. [PMID: 38261783 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c09216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Telomeres are nanoscale DNA-protein complexes to protect and stabilize chromosomes. The reexpression of telomerase in cancer cells is a key determinant crucial for the infinite proliferation and long-term survival of most cancer cells. However, the use of telomerase inhibitors for cancer treatment may cause problems such as poor specificity, drug resistance, and cytotoxicity. Here, we discovered a nondrug and noninvasive terahertz modulation strategy capable of the long-term suppression of cancer cells by inhibiting telomerase activity. First, we found that an optimized frequency of 33 THz photon irradiation effectively inhibited the telomerase activity by molecular dynamics simulation and frequency filtering experiments. Moreover, in vitro experiments showed that telomerase activity in 4T1 and MCF-7 cells significantly decreased by 77% and 80% respectively, after 21 days of regular 33 THz irradiation. Furthermore, two kinds of cells were found to undergo aging, apoptosis, and DNA double-strand breaks caused by telomere crisis, which seriously affected the survival of cancer cells. In addition, the tumorigenicity of 4T1 cells irradiated with 33 THz waves for 21 days in in vivo mice decreased by 70%. In summary, this study demonstrates the potential application of THz modulation in nano therapy for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junkai Yin
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Kaijie Wu
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yun Yu
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
- School of Life Science and Technology and Frontier Institute of Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Yuan Zhong
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
- Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zihua Song
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Chao Chang
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
- School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Guozhi Liu
- Innovation Laboratory of Terahertz Biophysics, National Innovation Institute of Defense Technology, Beijing 100071, China
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5
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Qin J, Garus A, Autexier C. The C-terminal extension of dyskerin is a dyskeratosis congenita mutational hotspot that modulates interaction with telomerase RNA and subcellular localization. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:318-332. [PMID: 37879098 PMCID: PMC10840380 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Dyskerin is a component of the human telomerase complex and is involved in stabilizing the human telomerase RNA (hTR). Many mutations in the DKC1 gene encoding dyskerin are found in X-linked dyskeratosis congenita (X-DC), a premature aging disorder and other related diseases. The C-terminal extension (CTE) of dyskerin contributes to its interaction with the molecular chaperone SHQ1 during the early stage of telomerase biogenesis. Disease mutations in this region were proposed to disrupt dyskerin-SHQ1 interaction and destabilize dyskerin, reducing hTR levels indirectly. However, biochemical evidence supporting this hypothesis is still lacking. In addition, the effects of many CTE disease mutations on hTR have not been examined. In this study, we tested eight dyskerin CTE variants and showed that they failed to maintain hTR levels. These mutants showed slightly reduced but not abolished interaction with SHQ1, and caused defective binding to hTR. Deletion of the CTE further reduced binding to hTR, and perturbed localization of dyskerin to the Cajal bodies and the nucleolus, and the interaction with TCAB1 as well as GAR1. Our findings suggest impaired dyskerin-hTR interaction in cells as a previously overlooked mechanism through which dyskerin CTE mutations cause X-DC and related telomere syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Qin
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, 3640 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Chem, de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Alexandre Garus
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, 3640 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Chem, de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Chantal Autexier
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, 3640 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Chem, de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
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Reis RD, da Rosa R, Pessa LR, Ruch Werneck Guimarães C. Nonclinical evaluation of a Vitis vinifera extract towards a novel antiaging cosmetic ingredient. J Cosmet Dermatol 2023; 22:3445-3458. [PMID: 37464908 DOI: 10.1111/jocd.15852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin aging is regulated by multiple physiological processes, such as oxidative stress. Natural products have been considered as a promising source of antioxidant compounds. As a result, few innovative products on the market based on natural products tackle additional underlying mechanisms of skin aging. AIMS The present work reports the nonclinical evaluation of a novel extract from the skin of V. vinifera fruits (codified as ACH37 extract), with the aim of supporting its use as an antiaging cosmetic ingredient candidate in clinical trials. METHODS We employed enzymatic, phenotypic, and gene expression assays, both in vitro and ex vivo, to investigate the action of the ACH37 extract in different biological processes that could be related to skin aging mechanisms. RESULTS The ACH37 extract was able to scavenge reactive oxygen species (DPPH, O2 - ), prevent inflammation (LPS- and UV-induced COX-2, IL-1β, and IL-8 expression), modulate extracellular matrix remodeling (inhibiting elastase, MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-12, as well as associated expression), increase telomere length, telomerase activity, and reverse the UV-induced suppression of genes involved in skin protection. In addition, the ACH37 extract permeated human skin explants and presented antioxidant efficacy ex vivo. CONCLUSION The results indicated that the ACH37 extract acts on multiple targets commonly related to skin aging, being a promising antiaging active ingredient candidate to be further investigated in clinical trials.
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Mazzella M, Walker K, Cormier C, Kapanowski M, Ishmakej A, Saifee A, Govind Y, Chaudhry GR. Regulation of self-renewal and senescence in primitive mesenchymal stem cells by Wnt and TGFβ signaling. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:305. [PMID: 37880755 PMCID: PMC10601332 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03533-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The therapeutic application of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) encounters significant challenges, primarily stemming from their inadequate growth and limited self-renewal capabilities. Additionally, as MSCs are propagated, their ability to self-renew declines, and the exact cellular and molecular changes responsible for this are poorly understood. This study aims to uncover the complex molecular mechanisms that govern the self-renewal of primitive (p) MSCs. METHODS We grew pMSCs using two types of medium, fetal bovine serum (FM) and xeno-free (XM), at both low passage (LP, P3) and high passage (HP, P20). To evaluate LP and HP pMSCs, we examined their physical characteristics, cell surface markers, growth rate, colony-forming ability, BrdU assays for proliferation, telomerase activity, and potential to differentiate into three lineages. Moreover, we conducted RNA-seq to analyze their transcriptome and MNase-seq analysis to investigate nucleosome occupancies. RESULTS When grown in FM, pMSCs underwent changes in their cellular morphology, becoming larger and elongated. This was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of CD90 and CD49f, as well as a reduction in CFE, proliferation rate, and telomerase activity. In addition, these cells showed an increased tendency to differentiate into the adipogenic lineage. However, when grown in XM, pMSCs maintained their self-renewal capacity and ability to differentiate into multiple lineages while preserving their fibroblastoid morphology. Transcriptomic analysis showed an upregulation of genes associated with self-renewal, cell cycle regulation, and DNA replication in XM-cultured pMSCs, while senescence-related genes were upregulated in FM-cultured cells. Further analysis demonstrated differential nucleosomal occupancies in self-renewal and senescence-related genes for pMSCs grown in XM and FM, respectively. These findings were confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis, which revealed alterations in the expression of genes related to self-renewal, cell cycle regulation, DNA replication, differentiation, and senescence. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we investigated the involvement of Wnt and TGFβ signaling pathways by modulating them with agonists and antagonists. This experimental manipulation led to the upregulation and downregulation of self-renewal genes in pMSCs, providing further insights into the signaling pathways governing the self-renewal and senescence of pMSCs. CONCLUSION Our study shows that the self-renewal potential of pMSCs is associated with the Wnt pathway, while senescence is linked to TGFβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Mazzella
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
- OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
| | - Keegan Walker
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
- OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
| | - Christina Cormier
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
- OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
| | - Michael Kapanowski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
- OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
| | - Albi Ishmakej
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
- OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
| | - Azeem Saifee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
- OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
| | - Yashvardhan Govind
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
- OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA
| | - G Rasul Chaudhry
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA.
- OU-WB Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Rochester, MI, 48309, USA.
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8
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Han H, Park C, Lee CY, Ahn JK. Background-filtered telomerase activity assay with cyclic DNA cleavage amplification. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:16669-16674. [PMID: 37801026 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr04132h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Overexpression of telomerase incites the abnormal proliferation of cancer cells. Thus, it has been regarded as a cancer biomarker and a potential therapeutic target. Existing assays suggest a promising sensing scheme to detect telomerase activity. However, they are complicated in terms of assay preparation and implementation. We herein report a Quenching-Exempt invader Signal Amplification Test, termed 'QUEST'. The assay leverages on a high turnover, specific cleaving enzyme, flap endonuclease I (FEN1), and graphene oxide (GO) for background (BG) filtering. In response to the target, FEN1 significantly boosts the signal with invader signal amplification. To distinguish the target signal, GO filters out the BG. It captures residual reporter invader probes (RP) to quench undesired signals. QUEST is straightforward without any pre-preparatory steps and washing/separation. Its probe design is simple and cost-effective. With QUEST, we investigated telomerase activities in various cell lines. Notably, we discriminated cancer cell lines from normal cell lines. In addition, a candidate inhibitor for telomerase was screened, which showed the promising potential of QUEST in real applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyogu Han
- Material & Component Convergence R&D Department, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), Ansan 15588, Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, Korea
| | - Chihyun Park
- Daejeon District Office, National Forensic Service, Daejeon 34054, Korea
| | - Chang Yeol Lee
- Bionanotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Jun Ki Ahn
- Material & Component Convergence R&D Department, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), Ansan 15588, Korea
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Wang H, Wang S, Wang H, Tang F, Chen D, Liang Y, Li Z. Amplification-free detection of telomerase activity at the single-cell level via Cas12a-lighting-up single microbeads (Cas12a-LSMBs). LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:4674-4679. [PMID: 37795981 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00598d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase overexpresses in almost all cancer cells and has been deemed a universal biomarker for cancer diagnosis and therapy. However, simple and ultrasensitive detection of telomerase activity in single-cells is still a huge challenge. Herein, we wish to report Cas12a-lighting up single microbeads (Cas12a-LSMBs) for ultrasensitive detection of telomerase activity without nucleic acid amplification. In this platform, single-strand DNA reporter (ssDNA reporter)-functionalized single-microbeads (functionalized-SMBs) are employed as a reactor for the trans-cleavage of telomerase-activated CRISPR/Cas12a as well as a reporting unit for fluorescence signal enrichment and visualization. Due to the space-confined effect and signal enrichment mechanism on the surface of the functionalized SMBs, the Cas12a-LSMBs can accurately detect telomerase activity in crude cell lysates with high specificity. Importantly, we have demonstrated that the Cas12a-LSMBs are a reliable and practical tool to detect telomerase activity in single cells and investigate cellular heterogeneity of telomerase activity from cell-to-cell variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honghong Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Shuhui Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Fu Tang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Desheng Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Yuanwen Liang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Zhengping Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 30 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
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Martínez-Balsalobre E, García-Castillo J, García-Moreno D, Naranjo-Sánchez E, Fernández-Lajarín M, Blasco MA, Alcaraz-Pérez F, Mulero V, Cayuela ML. Telomerase RNA-based aptamers restore defective myelopoiesis in congenital neutropenic syndromes. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5912. [PMID: 37737237 PMCID: PMC10516865 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41472-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase RNA (TERC) has a noncanonical function in myelopoiesis binding to a consensus DNA binding sequence and attracting RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II), thus facilitating myeloid gene expression. The CR4/CR5 domain of TERC is known to play this role, since a mutation of this domain found in dyskeratosis congenita (DC) patients decreases its affinity for RNA Pol II, impairing its myelopoietic activity as a result. In this study, we report that two aptamers, short single-stranded oligonucleotides, based on the CR4/CR5 domain were able to increase myelopoiesis without affecting erythropoiesis in zebrafish. Mechanistically, the aptamers functioned as full terc; that is, they increased the expression of master myeloid genes, independently of endogenous terc, by interacting with RNA Pol II and with the terc-binding sequences of the regulatory regions of such genes, enforcing their transcription. Importantly, aptamers harboring the CR4/CR5 mutation that was found in DC patients failed to perform all these functions. The therapeutic potential of the aptamers for treating neutropenia was demonstrated in several preclinical models. The findings of this study have identified two potential therapeutic agents for DC and other neutropenic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Martínez-Balsalobre
- Grupo de Telomerasa, Cáncer y Envejecimiento, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB) Pascual Parrilla, 30120, Murcia, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús García-Castillo
- Grupo de Telomerasa, Cáncer y Envejecimiento, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB) Pascual Parrilla, 30120, Murcia, Spain
| | - Diana García-Moreno
- Grupo de Telomerasa, Cáncer y Envejecimiento, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB) Pascual Parrilla, 30120, Murcia, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Naranjo-Sánchez
- Grupo de Telomerasa, Cáncer y Envejecimiento, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB) Pascual Parrilla, 30120, Murcia, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miriam Fernández-Lajarín
- Grupo de Telomerasa, Cáncer y Envejecimiento, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB) Pascual Parrilla, 30120, Murcia, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - María A Blasco
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisca Alcaraz-Pérez
- Grupo de Telomerasa, Cáncer y Envejecimiento, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain.
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB) Pascual Parrilla, 30120, Murcia, Spain.
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Victoriano Mulero
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB) Pascual Parrilla, 30120, Murcia, Spain.
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - María L Cayuela
- Grupo de Telomerasa, Cáncer y Envejecimiento, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, 30120, Murcia, Spain.
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB) Pascual Parrilla, 30120, Murcia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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11
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Han X, Hirschel A, Tsapekos M, Perez D, Vollmer D. In Vitro Assessment of Gold Nanoparticles on Telomerase Activity and Telomere Length in Human Fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14273. [PMID: 37762576 PMCID: PMC10532081 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase activity coincides with lengthening of the ends of chromosomes known as telomeres. Telomere length is used as a marker for cellular aging. Telomeres shorten over time as cells divide, and certain bioactive compounds such as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) may slow the shortening of telomeres by increasing telomerase activity. The objective of the present study is to assess the effect of AuNPs on telomerase activity and telomere length in human fibroblasts. Telomerase activity was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in primary human lung fibroblasts (IMR90) and using quantitative PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (Q-TRAP) in primary human dermal fibroblasts, neonatal (HDFn). Telomere length was determined by Telomere Analysis Technology (TAT®)assay in HDFn. In IMR90, all AuNP treatments showed significant increases in telomerase activity when compared to earlier passages. HDFn treated with AuNPs at 0 ppm, 0.05 ppm, 0.5 ppm, or 5 ppm did not show significant differences in telomerase activity compared to the control group. Significant differences in telomere length in HDFn were observed at 2 weeks of 0.05 and 0.5 ppm AuNPs under oxidative culture conditions as compared to the control group. The study showed preliminary evidence that AuNPs may increase telomerase activity and decelerate the shortening of telomeres in human fibroblasts, suggesting its potential anti-aging effects, which warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesheng Han
- Scientific Research Division, 4Life Research, Sandy, UT 84070, USA (D.V.)
| | - Alice Hirschel
- Scientific Research Division, 4Life Research, Sandy, UT 84070, USA (D.V.)
| | | | | | - David Vollmer
- Scientific Research Division, 4Life Research, Sandy, UT 84070, USA (D.V.)
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12
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Tichy ED, Lee JH, Li G, Estep KN, Brad Johnson F, Mourkioti F. Impacts of radiation exposure, hindlimb unloading, and recovery on murine skeletal muscle cell telomere length. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:76. [PMID: 37714858 PMCID: PMC10504369 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00303-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Astronauts are exposed to harsh conditions, including cosmic radiation and microgravity. Spaceflight elongates human telomeres in peripheral blood, which shorten upon return to Earth and approach baseline levels during postflight recovery. Astronauts also encounter muscle atrophy, losing up to 20% loss of muscle mass on spaceflights. Telomere length changes in muscle cells of astronauts remain unexplored. This study investigates telomere alterations in grounded mice experiencing radiation exposure and muscle atrophy, via a hindlimb unloading spaceflight mimicking model. We find telomere lengthening is present in muscle stem cells and in myofiber nuclei, but not in muscle-resident endothelial cells. We further assessed telomere length in the model following hindlimb unloading recovery. We find that telomere length failed to return to baseline values. Our results suggest a role for telomeres in muscle acclimatization, which is relevant for the well-being of astronauts in space, and upon their return to Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisia D Tichy
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ji-Hyung Lee
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Grant Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Katrina N Estep
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - F Brad Johnson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Foteini Mourkioti
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Penn Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Musculoskeletal Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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13
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Bawamia B, Spray L, Wangsaputra VK, Bennaceur K, Vahabi S, Stellos K, Kharatikoopaei E, Ogundimu E, Gale CP, Keavney B, Maier R, Hancock H, Richardson G, Austin D, Spyridopoulos I. Activation of telomerase by TA-65 enhances immunity and reduces inflammation post myocardial infarction. GeroScience 2023; 45:2689-2705. [PMID: 37086366 PMCID: PMC10122201 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00794-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardial infarction (MI) accelerates immune ageing characterised by lymphopenia, expansion of terminally differentiated CD8+ T-lymphocytes (CD8+ TEMRA) and inflammation. Pre-clinical data showed that TA-65, an oral telomerase activator, reduced immune ageing and inflammation after MI. We conducted a double blinded randomised controlled pilot trial evaluating the use of TA-65 to reduce immune cell ageing in patients following MI. Ninety MI patients aged over 65 years were randomised to either TA-65 (16 mg daily) or placebo for 12 months. Peripheral blood leucocytes were analysed by flow cytometry. The pre-defined primary endpoint was the proportion of CD8+ T-lymphocytes which were CD8+ TEMRA after 12 months. Secondary outcomes included high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. Median age of participants was 71 years. Proportions of CD8+ TEMRA did not differ after 12 months between treatment groups. There was a significant increase in mean total lymphocyte count in the TA-65 group after 12 months (estimated treatment effect: + 285 cells/μl (95% CI: 117-452 cells/ μ l, p < 0.004), driven by significant increases from baseline in CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. No increase in lymphocyte populations was seen in the placebo group. At 12 months, hsCRP was 62% lower in the TA-65 group compared to placebo (1.1 vs. 2.9 mg/L). Patients in the TA-65 arm experienced significantly fewer adverse events (130 vs. 185, p = 0.002). TA-65 did not alter CD8+ TEMRA but increased all major lymphocyte subsets and reduced hsCRP in elderly patients with MI after 12 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal Bawamia
- Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
- Academic Cardiovascular Unit, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Luke Spray
- Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
- Vascular Biology and Medicine Theme, Faculty of Medical Sciences, International Centre for Life, Translational and Clinical Research InstituteNewcastle UniversityNewcastle Upon Tyne, Central Parkway, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Vincent K Wangsaputra
- Vascular Biology and Medicine Theme, Faculty of Medical Sciences, International Centre for Life, Translational and Clinical Research InstituteNewcastle UniversityNewcastle Upon Tyne, Central Parkway, NE1 3BZ, UK
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Central Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Karim Bennaceur
- Vascular Biology and Medicine Theme, Faculty of Medical Sciences, International Centre for Life, Translational and Clinical Research InstituteNewcastle UniversityNewcastle Upon Tyne, Central Parkway, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Sharareh Vahabi
- Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
- Academic Cardiovascular Unit, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Konstantinos Stellos
- Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
- Vascular Biology and Medicine Theme, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
- Department of Cardiovascular Research, European Center for Angioscience (ECAS), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Manheim, Germany
| | | | | | - Chris P Gale
- Department of Cardiology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Bernard Keavney
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Heart Institute, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Rebecca Maier
- Academic Cardiovascular Unit, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Helen Hancock
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Gavin Richardson
- Vascular Biology and Medicine Theme, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - David Austin
- Academic Cardiovascular Unit, The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
- Population Health Science Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ioakim Spyridopoulos
- Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
- Vascular Biology and Medicine Theme, Faculty of Medical Sciences, International Centre for Life, Translational and Clinical Research InstituteNewcastle UniversityNewcastle Upon Tyne, Central Parkway, NE1 3BZ, UK.
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14
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Zhao X, Luo D, Liu T, Zhang H, Xie Y, Kong W. BIBR1532 Affects Endometrial Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion in Endometriosis via Telomerase Inhibition and MAPK Signaling. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2023; 88:226-239. [PMID: 37429261 DOI: 10.1159/000530460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The effect of telomerase inhibitor BIBR1532 on endometriotic cells was investigated to explore the inhibitory effect of targeting telomerase on endometriosis. DESIGN In vitro primary cell culture study. Participants/Materials: Primary endometrial cells derived from eutopic and ectopic endometrium in patients with endometriosis. SETTING The study was conducted in the university hospital. METHODS Paired eutopic and ectopic endometrial cells were collected from 6 patients from January 2018 to July 2021. A TRAP assay was performed to detect the telomerase activity of the cells. MTT, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and invasion assays were performed to study the inhibitory effect of BIBR1532. Enrichment analysis was performed to identify the key pathways involved in endometriosis progression and telomerase action. Then, Western blotting was used to investigate the expression of related proteins. RESULTS BIBR1532 treatment significantly inhibited the growth of eutopic and ectopic endometrial cells, with apoptosis and cell cycle signaling involved. Migration and invasion, important characteristics for the establishment of ectopic lesions, were also inhibited by BIBR1532. The MAPK signaling cascade, related to telomerase and endometriosis, was decreased in eutopic and ectopic endometrial stromal cells with the treatment of BIBR1532. LIMITATIONS The severe side effects of telomerase inhibitors might be the main obstacle to clinical application, so it is necessary to find better drug delivery methods in vivo. CONCLUSIONS The telomerase inhibitor BIBR1532 affects endometrial cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Zhao
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - He Zhang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yunkai Xie
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weimin Kong
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
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15
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Choi YJ, Kim MS, Rhoades JH, Johnson NM, Berry CT, Root S, Chen Q, Tian Y, Fernandez RJ, Cramer Z, Adams-Tzivelekidis S, Li N, Johnson FB, Lengner CJ. Patient-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatostellate Organoids Establish a Basis for Liver Pathologies in Telomeropathies. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 16:451-472. [PMID: 37302654 PMCID: PMC10404563 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a telomere biology disorder caused primarily by mutations in the DKC1 gene. Patients with DC and related telomeropathies resulting from premature telomere dysfunction experience multiorgan failure. In the liver, DC patients present with nodular hyperplasia, steatosis, inflammation, and cirrhosis. However, the mechanism responsible for telomere dysfunction-induced liver disease remains unclear. METHODS We used isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) harboring a causal DC mutation in DKC1 or a CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9)-corrected control allele to model DC liver pathologies. We differentiated these iPSCs into hepatocytes (HEPs) or hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) followed by generation of genotype-admixed hepatostellate organoids. Single-cell transcriptomics were applied to hepatostellate organoids to understand cell type-specific genotype-phenotype relationships. RESULTS Directed differentiation of iPSCs into HEPs and stellate cells and subsequent hepatostellate organoid formation revealed a dominant phenotype in the parenchyma, with DC HEPs becoming hyperplastic and also eliciting a pathogenic hyperplastic, proinflammatory response in stellate cells independent of stellate cell genotype. Pathogenic phenotypes in DKC1-mutant HEPs and hepatostellate organoids could be rescued via suppression of serine/threonine kinase AKT (protein kinase B) activity, a central regulator of MYC-driven hyperplasia downstream of DKC1 mutation. CONCLUSIONS Isogenic iPSC-derived admixed hepatostellate organoids offer insight into the liver pathologies in telomeropathies and provide a framework for evaluating emerging therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Jun Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Melissa S Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joshua H Rhoades
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicolette M Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Corbett T Berry
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah Root
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Qijun Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yuhua Tian
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rafael J Fernandez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Zvi Cramer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Stephanie Adams-Tzivelekidis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - F Brad Johnson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Christopher J Lengner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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16
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Saretzki G. Measuring telomerase activity using TRAP assays. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 181:127-149. [PMID: 38302235 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase that consists of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein and the telomerase RNA component TERC which also harbors the template region for telomere synthesis. In its canonical function the enzyme adds single-stranded telomeric hexanucleotides de novo to the ends of linear chromosomes, telomeres, in telomerase-positive cells such as germline, stem- and cancer cells. This potential biochemical activity of telomerase can be measured with the help of a telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) which often includes a PCR amplification due to the low abundance of telomerase in most cells and tissues. The current chapter describes various TRAP methods to detect telomerase activity (TA) using gel-based methods, its advantages and deficits, how to perform an ELISA-based TRAP assay and how best to interpret its results. Since development of the TRAP assay in 1994, there have been numerous modifications and adaptations of the method from real-time PCR analysis, isothermal amplification and nanotechnology to CRISPR/Cas-based methods which will be briefly mentioned. However, it is not possible to cover all different TRAP methods and thus there is no comprehensiveness claimed by this chapter. Instead, the author describes various aspects of using TRAP assays including required controls, sample preparation, etc. in order to avoid pitfalls and set-backs in applying this rather complex and demanding technique. The TRAP assay is particularly important to support clinical diagnosis of cancer, analyze tumor therapy as well as to evaluate various approaches to inhibit TA as a form of anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Saretzki
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
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17
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El Maï M, Bird M, Allouche A, Targen S, Şerifoğlu N, Lopes-Bastos B, Guigonis JM, Kang D, Pourcher T, Yue JX, Ferreira MG. Gut-specific telomerase expression counteracts systemic aging in telomerase-deficient zebrafish. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:567-584. [PMID: 37142828 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00401-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Telomere shortening is a hallmark of aging and is counteracted by telomerase. As in humans, the zebrafish gut is one of the organs with the fastest rate of telomere decline, triggering early tissue dysfunction during normal zebrafish aging and in prematurely aged telomerase mutants. However, whether telomere-dependent aging of an individual organ, the gut, causes systemic aging is unknown. Here we show that tissue-specific telomerase expression in the gut can prevent telomere shortening and rescues premature aging of tert-/-. Induction of telomerase rescues gut senescence and low cell proliferation, while restoring tissue integrity, inflammation and age-dependent microbiota dysbiosis. Averting gut aging causes systemic beneficial impacts, rescuing aging of distant organs such as reproductive and hematopoietic systems. Conclusively, we show that gut-specific telomerase expression extends the lifespan of tert-/- by 40%, while ameliorating natural aging. Our work demonstrates that gut-specific rescue of telomerase expression leading to telomere elongation is sufficient to systemically counteract aging in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounir El Maï
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Malia Bird
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Asma Allouche
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Seniye Targen
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Naz Şerifoğlu
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Bruno Lopes-Bastos
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Jean-Marie Guigonis
- Laboratory Transporter in Imaging and Radiotherapy in Oncology, Institut des Sciences du Vivant Frederic Joliot, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Da Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Thierry Pourcher
- Laboratory Transporter in Imaging and Radiotherapy in Oncology, Institut des Sciences du Vivant Frederic Joliot, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Jia-Xing Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miguel Godinho Ferreira
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN), CNRS UMR7284, INSERM U1081, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal.
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Mazzella M, Walker K, Cormier C, Kapanowski M, Ishmakej A, Saifee A, Govind Y, Chaudhry GR. WNT and VEGF/PDGF signaling regulate self-renewal in primitive mesenchymal stem cells. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2512048. [PMID: 37090660 PMCID: PMC10120760 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2512048/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Therapeutic use of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is hampered due to poor growth and limited self-renewal potential. The self-renewal potential of MSCs is also affected during propagation and changes are poorly understood. This study investigated the molecular mechanism involved in the self-renewal of primitive (p) MSCs. Methods pMSCs were cultured to low passage (LP), P3, and high passage (HP), P20, in fetal bovine serum medium (FM) and xeno-free medium (XM). The characteristics of LP and HP pMSCs were evaluated for morphology, expression of cell surface markers, doubling time (DT), colony forming efficiency (CFE), proliferation by BrdU assay, telomerase activity and trilineage differentiation. We then examined transcriptome and nucleosome occupancies using RNA-seq and MNase-seq, respectively analyses. Results pMSCs grown in FM gradually changed morphology to large elongated cells and showed a significant reduction in the expression of CD90 and CD49f, CFE, proliferation, and telomerase activity. In addition, cells had a greater propensity to differentiate into the adipogenic lineage. In contrast, pMSCs grown in XM maintained small fibroblastoid morphology, self-renewal, and differentiation potential. Transcriptomic analysis showed upregulation of genes involved in self-renewal, cell cycle, and DNA replication in XM-grown pMSCs. Whereas senescence genes were upregulated in cells in FM. MNase-seq analysis revealed less nucleosomal occupancies in self-renewal genes and senescence genes in pMSCs grown in XM and FM, respectively. The expression of selected genes associated with self-renewal, cell cycle, DNA replication, differentiation, and senescence was confirmed by qRT-PCR. These results led us to propose signaling pathways involved in the self-renewal and senescence of pMSCs. Conclusion We conclude that the self-renewal potential of pMSCs is controlled by WNT and VEGF/PDGF, but TGFβ and PI3K signaling induce senescence.
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Mannherz W, Agarwal S. Thymidine nucleotide metabolism controls human telomere length. Nat Genet 2023; 55:568-580. [PMID: 36959362 PMCID: PMC11000509 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01339-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length in humans is associated with lifespan and severe diseases, yet the genetic determinants of telomere length remain incompletely defined. Here we performed genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 functional telomere length screening and identified thymidine (dT) nucleotide metabolism as a limiting factor in human telomere maintenance. Targeted genetic disruption using CRISPR-Cas9 revealed multiple telomere length control points across the thymidine nucleotide metabolism pathway: decreasing dT nucleotide salvage via deletion of the gene encoding nuclear thymidine kinase (TK1) or de novo production by knockout of the thymidylate synthase gene (TYMS) decreased telomere length, whereas inactivation of the deoxynucleoside triphosphohydrolase-encoding gene SAMHD1 lengthened telomeres. Remarkably, supplementation with dT alone drove robust telomere elongation by telomerase in cells, and thymidine triphosphate stimulated telomerase activity in a substrate-independent manner in vitro. In induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients with genetic telomere biology disorders, dT supplementation or inhibition of SAMHD1 promoted telomere restoration. Our results demonstrate a critical role of thymidine metabolism in controlling human telomerase and telomere length, which may be therapeutically actionable in patients with fatal degenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Mannherz
- Division of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Initiative for RNA Medicine, and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Suneet Agarwal
- Division of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program, Harvard/MIT MD-PhD Program, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Initiative for RNA Medicine, and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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20
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Wang LJ, Lv MM, Hu JP, Liu M, Zhang CY. Proximity ligation-transcription circuit-powered exponential amplifications for single-molecule monitoring of telomerase in human cells. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:1181-1184. [PMID: 36628652 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc06087f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
We develop a new strategy for single-molecule monitoring of telomerase based on proximity ligation-transcription circuit-powered exponential amplifications. This strategy exhibits high sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.1 aM for the synthetic telomerase product TPC4 in vitro and 1 HeLa cell in vivo. Moreover, it can screen potential inhibitors, discriminate telomerase from interferents, and distinguish cancer cells from normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Juan Wang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China. .,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Meng-Meng Lv
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.
| | - Jin-Ping Hu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Meng Liu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.
| | - Chun-Yang Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China.
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21
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Dai J, Liu Z, Wang L, Huang G, Song S, Chen C, Wu T, Xu X, Hao C, Bian Y, Rozhkova EA, Chen Z, Yang H. A Telomerase-Activated Magnetic Resonance Imaging Probe for Consecutively Monitoring Tumor Growth Kinetics and In Situ Screening Inhibitors. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:1108-1117. [PMID: 36622303 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c10749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Telomerase has long been considered as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and a therapeutic target for drug discovery. Detecting telomerase activity in vivo could provide more direct information of tumor progression and response to drug treatment, which, however, is hampered by the lack of an effective probe that can generate an output signal without a tissue penetration depth limit. In this study, using the principle of distance-dependent magnetic resonance tuning, we constructed a telomerase-activated magnetic resonance imaging probe (TAMP) by connecting superparamagnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticles (SPFONs) and paramagnetic Gd-DOTA (Gd(III) 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) complexes via telomerase-responsive DNA motifs. Upon telomerase-catalyzed extension of the primer in TAMP, Gd-DOTA-conjugated oligonucleotides can be liberated from the surface of SPFONs through a DNA strand displacement reaction, restoring the T1 signal of the Gd-DOTA for a direct readout of the telomerase activity. Here we show that, by tracking telomerase activity, this probe provides consistent monitoring of tumor growth kinetics during progression and in response to drug treatment and enables in situ screening of telomerase inhibitors in whole-animal models. This study provides an alternative toolkit for cancer diagnosis, treatment response assessment, and anticancer drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junduan Dai
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P.R. China
| | - Lili Wang
- Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, P.R. China
| | - Guoming Huang
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Sijie Song
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P.R. China
| | - Chen Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P.R. China
| | - Ting Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P.R. China
| | - Chaojie Hao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P.R. China
| | - Yijie Bian
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P. R. China
| | - Elena A Rozhkova
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Zhaowei Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P.R. China
| | - Huanghao Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, P.R. China
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22
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Zhao YJ, Liao Y, Fu JH, Li YZ, Zhu YL, Chen ZP, Yu RQ. Telomerase-initiated three-dimensional DNAzyme motor for monitoring of telomerase activity in living cells. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 219:114757. [PMID: 36265250 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase (TE) is recognized as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of cancer. At present, most of the methods for TE detection are only applicable to in vitro assays, and unsuitable for in vivo applications. Though a few intracellular probes have been reported to have good specificity for TE, they do not involve signal amplification, which hinders their applicability in scenarios requiring high sensitivity. It is rather challenging to develop highly sensitive biosensors for intracellular TE detection due to the difficulty in design TE probes with both high specificity and compatibility with signal amplification in living cells. Herein, a highly sensitive and selective three-dimensional DNAzyme motor for monitoring of TE activity in living cells was developed by innovatively integrating TE-mediated chain replacement reaction with a three-dimensional DNA walker. Specifically, the DNAzyme motor was constructed by assembling both DNAzyme substrates and swing arms made up of a hairpin-structured DNAzyme and a telomeric primer onto gold nanoparticles. TE in cells can activate the DNAzyme motor to carry out continuous chain replacement and substrate cutting reactions, and hence realize signal amplification in living cells. The DNAzyme motor was successfully utilized to monitor the dynamic changes of TE activity in four types of cells. Due to the advantages of simple synthesis, good biocompatibility and high sensitivity and specificity for TE, the proposed DNAzyme motor is expected to have great application potential in the early diagnosis of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, PR China
| | - Yue Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, PR China
| | - Jing-Hao Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, PR China
| | - Yan-Zi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, PR China
| | - Yan-Li Zhu
- School of Resources and Environment, Hunan University of Technology and Business, Changsha, Hunan, 410205, PR China
| | - Zeng-Ping Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, PR China.
| | - Ru-Qin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, PR China
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23
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Noguera JC, da Silva A, Velando A. Egg corticosterone can stimulate telomerase activity and promote longer telomeres during embryo development. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:6252-6260. [PMID: 33065771 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
It is often assumed that the transfer of maternal glucocorticoids (GCs; e.g., corticosterone or cortisol) to offspring is an inevitable cost associated with adverse or stressful conditions experienced by mothers. However, recent evidence indicates that maternal GCs may adaptively programme particular physiological and molecular pathways during development to enhance offspring fitness. In this context, an important mechanism through which maternal GCs may lastingly affect offspring phenotypic quality and survival is via effects on embryo telomerase activity and so on offspring postnatal telomere length. Here, using a field experimental design for which we manipulated the corticosterone content in yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) eggs, we show that embryos from corticosterone-injected eggs not only had a higher telomerase activity but also longer telomeres just after hatching. A complementary analysis further revealed that gull hatchlings with longer telomeres had a higher survival probability during the period when most of the chick mortality occurs. Given the important role that telomere length and its restoring mechanisms have on ageing trajectories and disease risk, our findings provide a new mechanistic link by which mothers may presumably shape offspring life-history trajectories and phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Carlos Noguera
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigacion Mariña (CIM), Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, 36310, Spain
| | - Alberto da Silva
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigacion Mariña (CIM), Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, 36310, Spain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigacion Mariña (CIM), Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, 36310, Spain
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24
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In Vitro Determination of the Skin Anti-Aging Potential of Four-Component Plant-Based Ingredient. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27228101. [PMID: 36432202 PMCID: PMC9697998 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27228101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The beauty industry is actively searching for solutions to prevent skin aging. Some of the crucial elements protecting cells from the aging process are telomere shortening, telomerase expression, cell senescence, and homeostasis of the redox system. Modification of these factors using natural antioxidants is an appealing way to support healthy skin aging. Therefore, in this study, we sought to investigate the antiaging efficacy of a specific combination of four botanical extracts (pomegranate, sweet orange, Cistanche and Centella asiatica) with proven antioxidant properties. To this end, normal human dermal fibroblasts were used as a cell model and the following studies were performed: cell proliferation was established by means of the MTT assay and the intracellular ROS levels in stress-induced premature senescence fibroblasts; telomere length measurement was performed under standard cell culture conditions using qPCR and under oxidative stress conditions using a variation of the Q-FISH technique; telomerase activity was examined by means of Q-TRAP; and AGE quantification was completed by means of ELISA assay in UV-irradiated fibroblasts. As a result, the botanical blend significantly reversed the H2O2-induced decrease in cell viability and reduced H2O2-induced ROS. Additionally, the presence of the botanical ingredient reduced the telomere shortening rate in both stressed and non-stressed replicating fibroblasts, and under oxidative stress conditions, the fibroblasts presented a higher median and 20th percentile telomere length, as well as a lower percentage of short telomeres (<3 Kbp) compared with untreated fibroblasts. Furthermore, the ingredient transiently increased relative telomerase activity after 24 h and prevented the accumulation of UVR-induced glycated species. The results support the potential use of this four-component plant-based ingredient as an antiaging agent.
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25
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Andrographis paniculata extract as an immunity modulator against cancer via telomerase inhibition. 3 Biotech 2022; 12:319. [PMID: 36245958 PMCID: PMC9549450 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-022-03373-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In accordance with the importance of telomerase inhibition as a potential target in cancer therapy, and increasing reports on the association between short telomeres and severe COVID-19 symptoms as well as extensive application of Andrographis paniculata as a remedy for both cancer and SARS-CoV-2, the present study aimed at investigating the impact of the plant’s extracts on telomerase activity (as an important enzyme regulating telomere length). Telomerase inhibition in MCF-7 cells treated with the Dichloromethane, ethanol, water, and methanol extracts of A. paniculata was assessed using Telomerase Repeated Amplification Protocol (TRAP). The above-mentioned extracts inhibited telomerase by 80.3 ± 1.4%, 78.5 ± 1.35%, 77.5 ± 1.81%, and 73.7 ± 1.81%, respectively. Furthermore, the flow cytometry analysis showed that the water and methanol extracts induced higher rates of total apoptosis by 32.8% and 25%, respectively, compared with dichloromethane (10.07%) and ethanol (10.7%) extracts. The inhibitory effect of A. paniculata on telomerase activity can be considered as a potential immunity modulator in cancer therapy; however, telomerase inhibition as a safe approach to SARS-CoV-2 is arguable. Two mechanisms can be considered accordingly; (a) reducing the existing population of short telomeres via telomerase inhibition in cancer cells (arresting proliferation and finally cell death) may decrease the susceptibility against SARS-CoV-2, especially in cancer patients or patients prone to cancer, and (b) increasing the population of short telomeres via telomerase inhibition in normal/somatic cells may increase the susceptibility against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, the telomerase inhibition of A. paniculata as an immunity modulator in cancer and COVID-19 should be investigated, carefully.
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26
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An enzyme-free and PCR-free biosensing platform for accurate monitoring of telomerase activity. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.130602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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27
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Kotasová H, Capandová M, Pelková V, Dumková J, Koledová Z, Remšík J, Souček K, Garlíková Z, Sedláková V, Rabata A, Vaňhara P, Moráň L, Pečinka L, Porokh V, Kučírek M, Streit L, Havel J, Hampl A. Expandable Lung Epithelium Differentiated from Human Embryonic Stem Cells. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2022; 19:1033-1050. [PMID: 35670910 PMCID: PMC9478014 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-022-00458-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The progenitors to lung airway epithelium that are capable of long-term propagation may represent an attractive source of cells for cell-based therapies, disease modeling, toxicity testing, and others. Principally, there are two main options for obtaining lung epithelial progenitors: (i) direct isolation of endogenous progenitors from human lungs and (ii) in vitro differentiation from some other cell type. The prime candidates for the second approach are pluripotent stem cells, which may provide autologous and/or allogeneic cell resource in clinically relevant quality and quantity. METHODS By exploiting the differentiation potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESC), here we derived expandable lung epithelium (ELEP) and established culture conditions for their long-term propagation (more than 6 months) in a monolayer culture without a need of 3D culture conditions and/or cell sorting steps, which minimizes potential variability of the outcome. RESULTS These hESC-derived ELEP express NK2 Homeobox 1 (NKX2.1), a marker of early lung epithelial lineage, display properties of cells in early stages of surfactant production and are able to differentiate to cells exhibitting molecular and morphological characteristics of both respiratory epithelium of airway and alveolar regions. CONCLUSION Expandable lung epithelium thus offer a stable, convenient, easily scalable and high-yielding cell source for applications in biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Kotasová
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Capandová
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vendula Pelková
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Dumková
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Koledová
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ján Remšík
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biophysics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Current Address: Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Karel Souček
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biophysics, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Garlíková
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Sedláková
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Anas Rabata
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Vaňhara
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Moráň
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Pečinka
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Volodymyr Porokh
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kučírek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Streit
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, St. Anne's Faculty Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Havel
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Hampl
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.
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28
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Noguera JC, Velando A. Maternal testosterone affects offspring telomerase activity in a long-lived seabird. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9281. [PMID: 36110870 PMCID: PMC9465397 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgens are a group of steroid hormones that have long been proposed as a mechanism underpinning intergenerational plasticity. In birds, maternally allocated egg testosterone, one of the main androgens in vertebrates, affects a wide variety of offspring phenotypic traits but the mechanisms underlying this form of intergenerational plasticity are not yet well understood. Recent in vitro and animal model studies have shown that telomerase expression and activity are important targets of androgen signaling. The telomerase enzyme is known for its repair function on telomeres, the DNA-protein complexes at the ends of chromosomes that are involved in genomic integrity and cell aging. However, the role of maternal testosterone in influencing offspring telomerase levels in natural populations and its consequences on telomere length and potentially on offspring development is still unknown. Here, by experimentally modifying the level of egg testosterone in a natural population of yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis), we show that chicks hatched from testosterone-treated eggs had higher average levels of telomerase and faster growth than controls during the first week of life. While testosterone-treated chicks also tended to have longer telomeres than controls at hatching this difference disappeared by day 6 of age. Overall, our results suggest that maternal testosterone may have a potential adaptive value by promoting offspring growth and presumably telomerase levels, as this enzyme plays other important physiological functions (e.g., stress resistance, cell signaling, or tissue genesis) besides telomere lengthening. Nonetheless, our knowledge of the potential adaptive function of telomerase in natural populations is scarce and so the potential pathways linking maternal hormones, offspring telomerase, and fitness should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose C Noguera
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigación Marina (CIM) Universidad de Vigo Vigo Spain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigación Marina (CIM) Universidad de Vigo Vigo Spain
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29
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Nguyen LNT, Nguyen LN, Zhao J, Schank M, Dang X, Cao D, Khanal S, Wu XY, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Ning S, Wang L, El Gazzar M, Moorman JP, Yao ZQ. TRF2 inhibition rather than telomerase disruption drives CD4T cell dysfunction during chronic viral infection. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:275609. [PMID: 35660868 PMCID: PMC9377711 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the role of telomerase and telomere repeat-binding factor 2 (TRF2 or TERF2) in T-cell dysfunction in chronic viral infection. We found that the expression and activity of telomerase in CD4+ T (CD4T) cells from patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections or people living with HIV (PLWH) were intact, but TRF2 expression was significantly inhibited at the post-transcriptional level, suggesting that TRF2 inhibition is responsible for the CD4T cell dysfunction observed during chronic viral infection. Silencing TRF2 expression in CD4T cells derived from healthy subjects induced telomeric DNA damage and CD4T cell dysfunction without affecting telomerase activity or translocation - similar to what we observed in CD4T cells from HCV patients and PLWH. These findings indicate that premature T-cell aging and dysfunction during chronic HCV or HIV infection are primarily caused by chronic immune stimulation and T-cell overactivation and/or proliferation that induce telomeric DNA damage due to TRF2 inhibition, rather than telomerase disruption. This study suggests that restoring TRF2 presents a novel approach to prevent telomeric DNA damage and premature T-cell aging, thus rejuvenating T-cell functions during chronic viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lam Ngoc Thao Nguyen
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Lam Nhat Nguyen
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Juan Zhao
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Madison Schank
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Xindi Dang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Dechao Cao
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Sushant Khanal
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Xiao Y Wu
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Jinyu Zhang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Shunbin Ning
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Ling Wang
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Mohamed El Gazzar
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
| | - Jonathan P Moorman
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Hepatitis (HCV/HBV/HIV) Program, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Johnson City, TN 37684, USA
| | - Zhi Q Yao
- Center of Excellence in Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious, Inflammatory and Immunologic Diseases, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA.,Hepatitis (HCV/HBV/HIV) Program, James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Johnson City, TN 37684, USA
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30
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Yang Q, Chang X, Lee JY, Olivera TR, Saji M, Wisniewski H, Kim S, Zhang F. Recent Advances in Self-Assembled DNA Nanostructures for Bioimaging. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:4652-4667. [PMID: 35559619 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
DNA nanotechnology has been proven to be a powerful platform to assist the development of imaging probes for biomedical research. The attractive features of DNA nanostructures, such as nanometer precision, controllable size, programmable functions, and biocompatibility, have enabled researchers to design and customize DNA nanoprobes for bioimaging applications. However, DNA probes with low molecular weights (e.g., 10-100 nt) generally suffer from low stability in physiological buffer environments. To improve the stability of DNA nanoprobes in such environments, DNA nanostructures can be designed with relatively larger sizes and defined shapes. In addition, the established modification methods for DNA nanostructures are also essential in enhancing their properties and performances in a physiological environment. In this review, we begin with a brief recap of the development of DNA nanostructures including DNA tiles, DNA origami, and multifunctional DNA nanostructures with modifications. Then we highlight the recent advances of DNA nanostructures for bioimaging, emphasizing the latest developments in probe modifications and DNA-PAINT imaging. Multiple imaging modules for intracellular biomolecular imaging and cell membrane biomarkers recognition are also summarized. In the end, we discuss the advantages and challenges of applying DNA nanostructures in bioimaging research and speculate on its future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Xu Chang
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Jung Yeon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Tiffany R Olivera
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Minu Saji
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Henry Wisniewski
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Suchan Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Fei Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
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Fernandez RJ, Gardner ZJG, Slovik KJ, Liberti DC, Estep KN, Yang W, Chen Q, Santini GT, Perez JV, Root S, Bhatia R, Tobias JW, Babu A, Morley MP, Frank DB, Morrisey EE, Lengner CJ, Johnson FB. GSK3 inhibition rescues growth and telomere dysfunction in dyskeratosis congenita iPSC-derived type II alveolar epithelial cells. eLife 2022; 11:64430. [PMID: 35559731 PMCID: PMC9200405 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by deficiencies in telomere maintenance leading to very short telomeres and the premature onset of certain age-related diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis (PF). PF is thought to derive from epithelial failure, particularly that of type II alveolar epithelial (AT2) cells, which are highly dependent on Wnt signaling during development and adult regeneration. We use human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived AT2 (iAT2) cells to model how short telomeres affect AT2 cells. Cultured DC mutant iAT2 cells accumulate shortened, uncapped telomeres and manifest defects in the growth of alveolospheres, hallmarks of senescence, and apparent defects in Wnt signaling. The GSK3 inhibitor, CHIR99021, which mimics the output of canonical Wnt signaling, enhances telomerase activity and rescues the defects. These findings support further investigation of Wnt agonists as potential therapies for DC-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Jesus Fernandez
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Zachary J G Gardner
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Katherine J Slovik
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Derek C Liberti
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Katrina N Estep
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Wenli Yang
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Qijun Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Garrett T Santini
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Javier V Perez
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Sarah Root
- College of Arts and Sciences and Vagelos Scholars Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Ranvir Bhatia
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - John W Tobias
- Penn Genomic Analysis Core, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Apoorva Babu
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Michael P Morley
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - David B Frank
- Penn-CHOP Lung Biology Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Edward E Morrisey
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - Christopher J Lengner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
| | - F Brad Johnson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
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Klein CB. Signal-Induced Inhibition of Telomerase Activity in HL60 Cancer Cells by Signal Transduction Using the Biophysically Activated Regulative Molecule 31 (RM31): A Pilot Study. Cureus 2022; 14:e22962. [PMID: 35281585 PMCID: PMC8906504 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.22962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In this pilot study, we report the use of a novel, patented biophysical technology, which enables intranuclear access and cell nucleus stimulation, via the signal of the biophysically activated regulative molecule 31 (RM31). RM31 is the name of an isolated natural molecule found in the human body and is involved in many cellular mechanisms. We used a specific low electromagnetic field frequency to activate the RM31 molecule, which leads to specific signal transduction, to investigate the effect of telomerase activity in HL60 cancer cells. Our results revealed a dramatic inhibition in telomerase activity, a 99.5% decrease within 72 hours, with avoidance of subsequent reactivation, due to the simultaneous inhibition of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT).
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Huda N, Kusumanchi P, Perez K, Jiang Y, Skill NJ, Sun Z, Ma J, Yang Z, Liangpunsakul S. Telomere length in patients with alcohol-associated liver disease: a brief report. J Investig Med 2022; 70:1438-1441. [PMID: 35246468 PMCID: PMC9378353 DOI: 10.1136/jim-2021-002213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The intact telomere structure is essential for the prevention of the chromosome end-to-end fusions and maintaining genomic integrity. The maintenance of telomere length is critical for cellular homeostasis. The shortening of telomeres has been reported in patients with chronic liver diseases. The telomere length has not been systemically studied in patients with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) at different stages, such as alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis. In this brief report, we observed evidence of telomere shortening without changes in the telomerase activity in the liver of patients with alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis when compared with controls. The alterations in the genes associated with telomere binding proteins were only observed in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Future studies are required to determine the mechanism of how alcohol affects the length of the telomere and if the shortening impacts the disease progression in ALD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazmul Huda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Praveen Kusumanchi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kristina Perez
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yanchao Jiang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Nicholas J Skill
- Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Zhaoli Sun
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltiore, MD, USA
| | - Jing Ma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Zhihong Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Suthat Liangpunsakul
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA .,Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Nacarelli T, Azar A, Potnis M, Johannes G, Mell J, Johnson FB, Brown-Borg H, Nogouchi E, Sell C. The methyltransferase enzymes, KMT2D, SETD1B, and ASH1L, are key mediators of both metabolic and epigenetic changes during cellular senescence. Mol Biol Cell 2022; 33:ar36. [PMID: 35196069 PMCID: PMC9282020 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e20-08-0523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a terminal cell fate characterized by growth arrest and a metabolically active state characterized by high glycolytic activity. Human fibroblasts were placed in a unique metabolic state using a combination of methionine restriction (MetR) and rapamycin (Rapa). This combination induced a metabolic reprogramming that prevented the glycolytic shift associated with senescence. Surprisingly, cells treated in this manner did not undergo senescence but continued to divide at a slow rate even at high passage, in contrast with either Rapa treatment or MetR, both of which extended life span but eventually resulted in growth arrest. Transcriptome-wide analysis revealed a coordinated regulation of metabolic enzymes related to one-carbon metabolism including three methyltransferase enzymes (KMT2D, SETD1B, and ASH1L), key enzymes for both carnitine synthesis and histone modification. These enzymes appear to be involved in both the metabolic phenotype of senescent cells and the chromatin changes required for establishing the senescence arrest. Targeting one of these enzymes, ASH1L, produced both a glycolytic shift and senescence, providing proof of concept. These findings reveal a mechanistic link between a major metabolic hallmark of senescence and nuclear events required for senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Nacarelli
- Glaxosmithkline, Oncology Synthetic Lethal Research Unit, Collegeville PA
| | | | - Manali Potnis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Joshua Mell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - F Brad Johnson
- Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Holly Brown-Borg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND
| | - Eishi Nogouchi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Christian Sell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
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Springhetti S, Bucan V, Liebsch C, Lazaridis A, Vogt PM, Strauß S. An Identification and Characterization of the Axolotl ( Ambystoma mexicanum, Amex) Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (Amex TERT). Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13020373. [PMID: 35205418 PMCID: PMC8924892 DOI: 10.3390/genes13020373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mexican axolotl is one of the few vertebrates that is able to replace its lost body parts during lifespan. Due to its remarkable regenerative abilities, the axolotl emerged as a model organism especially for limb regeneration. Telomeres and the telomerase enzyme are crucial for regeneration and protection against aging processes and degenerating diseases. Despite its relevance for regeneration, the axolotl telomerase and telomere length have not yet been investigated. Therefore, in the present paper, we reveal the sequence of the axolotl telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (Tert) and protein (TERT). Multiple sequence alignment (MSA) showed the known conserved RT- and TERT-specific motifs and residues found in other TERTs. In addition, we establish methods to determine the Tert expression (RT-PCR) and telomerase activity (Q-TRAP) of adult axolotl and blastema tissues. We found that both differentiated forelimb tissue and regenerating blastema tissue express Tert and show telomerase activity. Furthermore, blastema tissue appears to exhibit a higher Tert expression and telomerase activity. The presence of active telomerase in adult somatic cells is a decisive difference to somatic cells of non-regenerating vertebrates, such as humans. These findings indicate that telomere biology may play a key role in the regenerative abilities of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Springhetti
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (V.B.); (C.L.); (A.L.); (P.M.V.); (S.S.)
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Diakovere Henriettenstift, 30171 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Vesna Bucan
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (V.B.); (C.L.); (A.L.); (P.M.V.); (S.S.)
| | - Christina Liebsch
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (V.B.); (C.L.); (A.L.); (P.M.V.); (S.S.)
| | - Andrea Lazaridis
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (V.B.); (C.L.); (A.L.); (P.M.V.); (S.S.)
| | - Peter Maria Vogt
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (V.B.); (C.L.); (A.L.); (P.M.V.); (S.S.)
| | - Sarah Strauß
- Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (V.B.); (C.L.); (A.L.); (P.M.V.); (S.S.)
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36
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Wang Y, Chen Y, Li C, Xiao Z, Yuan H, Zhang Y, Pang D, Tang X, Li M, Ouyang H. TERT Promoter Revertant Mutation Inhibits Melanoma Growth through Intrinsic Apoptosis. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11010141. [PMID: 35053139 PMCID: PMC8773187 DOI: 10.3390/biology11010141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary TERT -146 C>T frequently occurs in many cancer cells. Research targeting the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter contributes to a better understanding of cancer development and treatment. Many conventional cancer treatments aim to develop new drugs targeting TERT. Here, for TERT -146 we converted T to C. The proliferation, migration and invasion of melanoma cells in vitro, and the growth of the tumor in vivo were inhibited. Moreover, the downregulated protein expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) indicated that the TERT promoter revertant mutation abrogated the inhibitory effect of mutant TERT on apoptosis. These data elucidated the relationship between the TERT promoter revertant mutations and apoptosis for the first time, and also implied that TERT -146 may be a causal mutation of melanoma. This study provides a new insight into the TERT promoter revertant mutations and apoptosis. The TERT promoter provides preliminary validation of the potential tumor treatment. Abstract Human telomerase is a specialized DNA polymerase whose catalytic core includes both TERT and human telomerase RNA (hTR). Telomerase in humans, which is silent in most somatic cells, is activated to maintain the telomere length (TEL) in various types of cancer cells, including melanoma. In the vast majority of tumor cells, the TERT promoter is mutated to promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis. Here, we exploited NG-ABEmax to revert TERT -146 T to -146 C in melanoma, and successfully obtained TERT promoter revertant mutant cells. These TERT revertant mutant cells exhibited significant growth inhibition both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, A375−146C/C cells exhibited telomere shortening and the downregulation of TERT at both the transcription and protein levels, and migration and invasion were inhibited. In addition, TERT promoter revertant mutation abrogated the inhibitory effect of mutant TERT on apoptosis via B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), ultimately leading to cell death. Collectively, the results of our work demonstrate that reverting mutations in the TERT promoter is a potential therapeutic option for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbing Wang
- Key Laboratory for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.X.); (H.Y.); (Y.Z.); (D.P.); (X.T.)
| | - Yiwu Chen
- Key Laboratory for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.X.); (H.Y.); (Y.Z.); (D.P.); (X.T.)
| | - Chang Li
- College of Plant Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China;
| | - Zhiwei Xiao
- Key Laboratory for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.X.); (H.Y.); (Y.Z.); (D.P.); (X.T.)
| | - Hongming Yuan
- Key Laboratory for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.X.); (H.Y.); (Y.Z.); (D.P.); (X.T.)
| | - Yuanzhu Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.X.); (H.Y.); (Y.Z.); (D.P.); (X.T.)
| | - Daxin Pang
- Key Laboratory for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.X.); (H.Y.); (Y.Z.); (D.P.); (X.T.)
- Chongqing Research Institute, Jilin University, Chongqing 401123, China
- Chongqing Jitang Biotechnology Research Institute, Chongqing 401123, China
| | - Xiaochun Tang
- Key Laboratory for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.X.); (H.Y.); (Y.Z.); (D.P.); (X.T.)
- Chongqing Research Institute, Jilin University, Chongqing 401123, China
- Chongqing Jitang Biotechnology Research Institute, Chongqing 401123, China
| | - Mengjing Li
- Key Laboratory for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.X.); (H.Y.); (Y.Z.); (D.P.); (X.T.)
- Chongqing Research Institute, Jilin University, Chongqing 401123, China
- Chongqing Jitang Biotechnology Research Institute, Chongqing 401123, China
- Correspondence: (M.L.); (H.O.); Tel.: +86-0431-87836175 (H.O.)
| | - Hongsheng Ouyang
- Key Laboratory for Zoonoses Research, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China; (Y.W.); (Y.C.); (Z.X.); (H.Y.); (Y.Z.); (D.P.); (X.T.)
- Chongqing Research Institute, Jilin University, Chongqing 401123, China
- Chongqing Jitang Biotechnology Research Institute, Chongqing 401123, China
- Correspondence: (M.L.); (H.O.); Tel.: +86-0431-87836175 (H.O.)
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Ma D, Bai H, Li J, Li Y, Song L, Zheng J, Miao C. A ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe for signal amplification monitoring of intracellular telomerase activity. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:1891-1898. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-021-03823-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Kaneyoshi S, Eguchi N, Fujimoto K, Fujii S, Sato S, Takenaka S. Cyclic ferrocenylnaphthalene diimides as a probe for electrochemical telomerase assay. J Inorg Biochem 2022; 230:111746. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2022.111746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Fan G, Li X, Xu S, Dai C, Xue Q, Wang H. SERS-based copper-mediated signal amplification strategy for simple and sensitive detection of telomerase activity. Talanta 2021; 235:122814. [PMID: 34517670 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Simple and sensitive detection of telomerase activity is of vital importance for both early diagnosis and therapy of malignant tumors. Inspired by DNA-biobarcode amplification reported by Chad A. Mirkin, we developed a facile DNA-biobarcode-like SERS-based copper-mediated signal amplification strategy for sensitive detection of telomerase activity. In this strategy, a duplex DNA constructed by hybridization of a copper oxide nanoparticle (CuO NP)-labeled reporting sequence (RS) with the telomerase primer sequence (TS) is ingeniously designed, and anchored on the magnetic bead (MB) to build the CuO NPs-encoded magnetic bead (MB-CuO NPs) detection probe. Upon selective sensing of telomerase, telomerase elongation reaction and structure change of TS products make the CuO NP-RS displace and separate from MB. The separated CuO NPs are dissolved into a mass of Cu2+, which prompt monodisperse dopamine-functionalized AgNPs (D-AgNPs) signal probe into aggregation, resulting in color changes and significantly enhancing of SERS signal. The SERS signal increases with the increase of Cu2+, which is directly proportional to the telomerase. Benefiting from the transformation of CuO NP to Cu2+ with a high amplification effect, this strategy could realize the telomerase activity measurement down to 3 HeLa cells and a dynamic range of 10-10000 cells. It shows a significant improvement of sensitivity without need for other enzymes and elaborate design, which escapes from the complicated manipulations and design in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA amplification techniques. Moreover, with this strategy, telomerase activities of different cell lines and telomerase inhibitors screening were successfully performed. Significantly, it can also be utilized for visual detection of telomerase, which validates the potential on-site application and its application as point-of-care testing (POCT) for efficient monitoring. Given the high-performance for telomerase analysis, the strategy has a promising application in biological detection and clinical diagnosis, as well as point-of-care tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanli Fan
- Department of Chemistry, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, Shandong, China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Chemistry, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, Shandong, China
| | - Shuling Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, Shandong, China
| | - Caifeng Dai
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Ji'nan, 250012, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Qingwang Xue
- Department of Chemistry, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, Shandong, China.
| | - Huaisheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, 252059, Shandong, China
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Shim HS, Horner JW, Wu CJ, Li J, Lan ZD, Jiang S, Xu X, Hsu WH, Zal T, Flores II, Deng P, Lin YT, Tsai LH, Wang YA, DePinho RA. Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Preserves Neuron Survival and Cognition in Alzheimer's Disease Models. NATURE AGING 2021; 1:1162-1174. [PMID: 35036927 PMCID: PMC8759755 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-021-00146-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid-induced neurodegeneration plays a central role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Here, we show that telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) haploinsufficiency decreases BDNF and increases amyloid-β (Aβ) precursor in murine brain. Moreover, prior to disease onset, the TERT locus sustains accumulation of repressive epigenetic marks in murine and human AD neurons, implicating TERT repression in amyloid-induced neurodegeneration. To test the impact of sustained TERT expression on AD pathobiology, AD mouse models were engineered to maintain physiological levels of TERT in adult neurons, resulting in reduced Aβ accumulation, improved spine morphology, and preserved cognitive function. Mechanistically, integrated profiling revealed that TERT interacts with β-catenin and RNA polymerase II at gene promoters and upregulates gene networks governing synaptic signaling and learning processes. These TERT-directed transcriptional activities do not require its catalytic activity nor telomerase RNA. These findings provide genetic proof-of-concept for somatic TERT gene activation therapy in attenuating AD progression including cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Seok Shim
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - James W. Horner
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Chang-Jiun Wu
- Department of Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Jiexi Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Zheng D. Lan
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Shan Jiang
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Xueping Xu
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Wen-Hao Hsu
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Tomasz Zal
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Ivonne I. Flores
- Institute for Applied Cancer Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Pingna Deng
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Yuan-Ta Lin
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Y. Alan Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Ronald A. DePinho
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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de Oliveira BCD, Shiburah ME, Paiva SC, Vieira MR, Morea EGO, da Silva MS, Alves CDS, Segatto M, Gutierrez-Rodrigues F, Borges JC, Calado RT, Cano MIN. Possible Involvement of Hsp90 in the Regulation of Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity During the Leishmania amazonensis Developmental Cycle and Population Proliferation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:713415. [PMID: 34778247 PMCID: PMC8581162 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.713415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Leishmania developmental cycle comprises three main life forms in two hosts, indicating that the parasite is continually challenged due to drastic environmental changes. The disruption of this cycle is critical for discovering new therapies to eradicate leishmaniasis, a neglected disease that affects millions worldwide. Telomeres, the physical ends of chromosomes, maintain genome stability and cell proliferation and are potential antiparasitic drug targets. Therefore, understanding how telomere length is regulated during parasite development is vital. Here, we show that telomeres form clusters spread in the nucleoplasm of the three parasite life forms. We also observed that amastigotes telomeres are shorter than metacyclic and procyclic promastigotes and that in parasites with continuous in vitro passages, telomere length increases over time. These observed differences in telomere length among parasite’s life stages were not due to lack/inhibition of telomerase since enzyme activity was detected in all parasite life stages, although the catalysis was temperature-dependent. These data led us to test if, similar to other eukaryotes, parasite telomere length maintenance could be regulated by Hsp83, the ortholog of Hsp90 in trypanosomatids, and Leishmania (LHsp90). Parasites were then treated with the Hsp90 inhibitor 17AAG. The results showed that 17AAG disturbed parasite growth, induced accumulation into G2/M phases, and telomere shortening in a time-dependent manner. It has also inhibited procyclic promastigote’s telomerase activity. Besides, LHsp90 interacts with the telomerase TERT component as shown by immunoprecipitation, strongly suggesting a new role for LHsp90 as a parasite telomerase component involved in controlling telomere length maintenance and parasite life span.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz C D de Oliveira
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mark E Shiburah
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stepany C Paiva
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina R Vieira
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edna Gicela O Morea
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Santos da Silva
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristiane de Santis Alves
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Júlio C Borges
- São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T Calado
- Hemocentro da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel N Cano
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Direct electrochemistry of silver nanoparticles-decorated metal-organic frameworks for telomerase activity sensing via allosteric activation of an aptamer hairpin. Anal Chim Acta 2021; 1184:339036. [PMID: 34625244 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.339036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A direct electrochemistry of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-anchored metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is developed for detection of telomerase activity based on allosteric activation of an aptamer hairpin. AgNPs in situ decorated on PCN-224 (AgNPs/PCN-224) constituted the direct electrochemical labels that were further biofunctionalized by recognition moiety of streptavidin (SA). To achieve the target biosensing, an allosteric hairpin-structured DNA was elaborately designed for signal transduction. The presence of telomerase elongated its primer in the hairpin to displace partial stem strand, thus resulted in the formation of SA aptamer-open structure. Through the specific interaction with aptamer, SA-biofunctionalized AgNPs/PCN-224 probe was attached onto the electrode surface, generating electrochemical signal at + 0.072 V of AgNPs centralized by MOF structure. The direct electrochemical biosensor showed target activity-dependent response from 1.0 × 10-7 to 1.0 × 10-1 IU L-1 with a detection limit of 5.4 × 10-8 IU L-1. Moreover, the sensor was applied in evaluation of telomerase activity in living cancer cells. The established electrochemical detection approach in this work avoids the critical deoxygenation conditions and additional electrocatalytic reagents, which opens a novel biosensing perspective for direct electrochemistry of MOF-based nanocomposites.
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Mangosh TL, Grabowska MM, Taylor DJ. SLX4IP N-terminus dictates telomeric localization in ALT-like castration-resistant prostate cancer cell lines. Prostate 2021; 81:1235-1251. [PMID: 34492133 PMCID: PMC8460604 DOI: 10.1002/pros.24225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To ensure replicative immortality in cancer, telomeres must be maintained through activation of telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) that are dependent on telomerase or the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Although TMM pathways have traditionally been considered to be mutually exclusive, ALT hallmarks have been identified in cancers defined as being telomerase-positive, supporting TMM coexistence. In castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), in vitro models were thought to be universally dependent on telomerase as the primary TMM; however, CRPC models with androgen receptor (AR) loss demonstrate ALT hallmarks with limited telomerase activity and require ALT-associated PML bodies (APBs) for sustained telomere maintenance. The TMM coexistence in AR-negative CRPC is reliant on the ALT regulator protein, SLX4IP. METHODS To identify the regions of SLX4IP responsible for the induction of APBs and telomere preservation in CRPC models, five 3xFLAG-tagged SLX4IP constructs were designed and stably introduced into parental C4-2B, DU145, and PC-3 cells. Once generated, these cell lines were interrogated for APB abundance and SLX4IP construct localization via immunofluorescence-fluorescence in situ hybridization (IF-FISH) and coimmunoprecipitation experiments for telomeric localization. Similarly, PC-3 cells with endogenous SLX4IP knockdown and SLX4IP construct introduction were interrogated for APB abundance, telomere length preservation, and senescent rescue. RESULTS Here, we define the N-terminus of SLX4IP as being responsible for the promotion of the ALT-like phenotype of AR-negative CRPC models. Specifically, the N-terminus of SLX4IP was sufficient for promoting APB formation to a similar degree as full-length SLX4IP across CRPC cell lines. Additionally, APB promotion by the N-terminus of SLX4IP rescued telomere shortening and senescent induction triggered by SLX4IP knockdown in AR-negative CRPC cells. Moreover, APB formation and telomere maintenance were dependent on the ability of the N-terminus to direct SLX4IP localization at telomeres and APBs. CONCLUSIONS These findings identify the role of the uncharacterized ALT regulator SLX4IP in the promotion of TMM coexistence to perpetuate replicative immortality in CRPC in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tawna L. Mangosh
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Magdalena M. Grabowska
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Derek J. Taylor
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Mirza S, Kalluchi A, Raza M, Saleem I, Mohapatra B, Pal D, Ouellette MM, Qiu F, Yu L, Lobanov A, Zheng ZM, Zhang Y, Alsaleem MA, Rakha EA, Band H, Rowley MJ, Band V. Ecdysoneless Protein Regulates Viral and Cellular mRNA Splicing to Promote Cervical Oncogenesis. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 20:305-318. [PMID: 34670863 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV), exemplified by HPV16/18, are causally linked to human cancers of the anogenital tract, skin, and upper aerodigestive tract. Previously, we identified Ecdysoneless (ECD) protein, the human homolog of the Drosophila ecdysoneless gene, as a novel HPV16 E6-interacting protein. Here, we show that ECD, through its C-terminal region, selectively binds to high-risk but not to low-risk HPV E6 proteins. We demonstrate that ECD is overexpressed in cervical and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines as well as in tumor tissues. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset, we show that ECD mRNA overexpression predicts shorter survival in patients with cervical and HNSCC. We demonstrate that ECD knockdown in cervical cancer cell lines led to impaired oncogenic behavior, and ECD co-overexpression with E7 immortalized primary human keratinocytes. RNA-sequencing analyses of SiHa cells upon ECD knockdown showed to aberrations in E6/E7 RNA splicing, as well as RNA splicing of several HPV oncogenesis-linked cellular genes, including splicing of components of mRNA splicing machinery itself. Taken together, our results support a novel role of ECD in viral and cellular mRNA splicing to support HPV-driven oncogenesis. IMPLICATIONS: This study links ECD overexpression to poor prognosis and shorter survival in HNSCC and cervical cancers and identifies a critical role of ECD in cervical oncogenesis through regulation of viral and cellular mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Mirza
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Achyuth Kalluchi
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Mohsin Raza
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Irfana Saleem
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Bhopal Mohapatra
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Dhananjaya Pal
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Michel M Ouellette
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Fang Qiu
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Lulu Yu
- Tumor Virus RNA Biology Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Alexei Lobanov
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource (CCBR), National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Zhi-Ming Zheng
- Tumor Virus RNA Biology Section, HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Ying Zhang
- Northshore University Health System, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mansour A Alsaleem
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Applied Medical Sciences, Onizah Community College, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Emad A Rakha
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Hamid Band
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - M Jordan Rowley
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
| | - Vimla Band
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
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Telomerase RNA recruits RNA polymerase II to target gene promoters to enhance myelopoiesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2015528118. [PMID: 34353901 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015528118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare inherited bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition syndrome caused by mutations in telomerase or telomeric proteins. Here, we report that zebrafish telomerase RNA (terc) binds to specific DNA sequences of master myeloid genes and controls their expression by recruiting RNA Polymerase II (Pol II). Zebrafish terc harboring the CR4-CR5 domain mutation found in DC patients hardly interacted with Pol II and failed to regulate myeloid gene expression in vivo and to increase their transcription rates in vitro. Similarly, TERC regulated myeloid gene expression and Pol II promoter occupancy in human myeloid progenitor cells. Strikingly, induced pluripotent stem cells derived from DC patients with a TERC mutation in the CR4-CR5 domain showed impaired myelopoiesis, while those with mutated telomerase catalytic subunit differentiated normally. Our findings show that TERC acts as a transcription factor, revealing a target for therapeutic intervention in DC patients.
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Noguera JC, Velando A. Telomerase activity can mediate the effects of growth on telomeres during post-natal development in a wild bird. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:269201. [PMID: 34142138 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In wild animals, telomere attrition during early development has been linked with several fitness disadvantages throughout life. Telomerase enzyme can elongate telomeres, but it is generally assumed that its activity is suppressed in most somatic tissues upon birth. However, recent evidence suggests that this may not be the case for long-lived bird species. We have therefore investigated whether telomerase activity is maintained during the postnatal growth period in a wild yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) population. Our results indicate that telomerase activity is not negligible in the blood cells, but activity levels sharply decline from hatching to fledging following a similar pattern to the reduction observed in telomere length. Our results further suggest that the observed variation in telomere length may be the result of a negative effect of fast growth on telomerase activity, thus providing a new mechanism through which growth rates may affect telomere dynamics and potentially life-history trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose C Noguera
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigacion Mariña (CIM), Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Grupo de Ecología Animal (GEA), Centro de Investigacion Mariña (CIM), Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
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Wu X, Wu J, Dai J, Chen B, Chen Z, Wang S, Wu F, Lou X, Xia F. Aggregation-induced emission luminogens reveal cell cycle-dependent telomerase activity in cancer cells. Natl Sci Rev 2021; 8:nwaa306. [PMID: 34691667 PMCID: PMC8288165 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwaa306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase acts as an important biomarker for tumor identification, and synthesizes telomeric repeats at the end of chromosome telomeres during the replicative phase of the cell cycle; thus, the expression level of telomerase changes as the cell cycle progresses. TERT mRNA expression and telomerase activity were significantly increased in over 80% of human cancers from tissue specimens. Although many efforts have been made in detecting the activity of TERT mRNA and active telomerase, the heterogeneous behavior of the cell cycle was overlooked, which might affect the accuracy of the detection results. Herein, the AIEgen-based biosensing systems of PyTPA-DNA and Silole-R were developed to detect the cellular level of TERT mRNA and telomerase in different cell cycles. As a result, the fluorescence signal of cancer cells gradually increased from G0/G1, G1/S to S phase. In contrast, both cancer cells arrested at G2/M phase and normal cells exhibited negligible fluorescence intensities. Compared to normal tissues, malignant tumor samples demonstrated a significant turn-on fluorescence signal. Furthermore, the transcriptomics profiling revealed that tumor biomarkers changed as the cell cycle progressed and biomarkers of CA9, TK1 and EGFR were more abundantly expressed at early S stage. In this vein, our study presented advanced biosensing tools for more accurate analysis of the cell-cycle-dependent activity of TERT mRNA and active telomerase in clinical tissue samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jun Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Biao Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Shixuan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Feng Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xiaoding Lou
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Fan Xia
- Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
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Qin G, Sun Y, Guo Y, Song Y. PAX5 activates telomerase activity and proliferation in keloid fibroblasts by transcriptional regulation of SND1, thus promoting keloid growth in burn-injured skin. Inflamm Res 2021; 70:459-472. [PMID: 33616676 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-021-01444-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Staphylococcal nuclease domain-containing 1 (SND1) that functioned as an oncogene in a variety of tumors was upregulated in burn-injured skin tissues, and this study aims to investigate the effect of SND1 on keloid and elucidate the underlying mechanism. METHODS Keloid fibroblasts (KFs) and normal skin fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from the keloid tissues and adjacent normal skin tissues of keloid patients. The SND1 expression was assessed in keloid tissues and KFs with Western blot assay. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were performed to investigate the role of SND1 in proliferation, colony formation, telomerase activity, expression of fibrogenic genes and production of pro-inflammatory factors in KFs. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) and Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were used to verify the interaction of Paired-box gene 5 (PAX5) on SND1 promoter. Then, a series of rescue experiments were performed to verify the effects of SND1 overexpression on PAX5 knockdown-mediated KF functions. Finally, the role of SND1 in keloid formation in vivo was validated in mice with keloid implantation. RESULTS SND1 was upregulated in keloid tissues and KFs. SND1 positively regulated proliferation, colony formation, telomerase activity, production of pro-inflammatory factors and expression of fibrogenic genes. PAX5 directly bound to the SND1 promoter to transcriptionally regulate SND1 expression and positively regulated SND1-mediated KF functions via the ERK/JNK pathway. In vivo assay further demonstrated that SND1 displayed a positive effect on keloid formation. CONCLUSION SND1 transcriptionally regulated by PAX5 promotes keloid formation through activating telomerase activity via the ERK/JNK signaling pathways, which provides a promising therapeutic target for clinical treatment of burned skin keloid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoping Qin
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China
| | - Yaowen Sun
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China
| | - Yadong Guo
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, 710068, China
| | - Yong Song
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, 256 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710068, China.
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HIF-1α and Pro-Inflammatory Signaling Improves the Immunomodulatory Activity of MSC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073416. [PMID: 33810359 PMCID: PMC8036951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the strong evidence for the immunomodulatory activity of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), clinical trials have so far failed to clearly show benefit, likely reflecting methodological shortcomings and lack of standardization. MSC-mediated tissue repair is commonly believed to occur in a paracrine manner, and it has been stated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by MSCs (EVMSC) are able to recapitulate the immunosuppressive properties of parental cells. As a next step, clinical trials to corroborate preclinical studies should be performed. However, effective dose in large mammals, including humans, is quite high and EVs industrial production is hindered by the proliferative senescence that affects MSCs during massive cell expansion. We generated a genetically modified MSC cell line overexpressing hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha and telomerase to increase the therapeutic potency of EVMSC and facilitate their large-scale production. We also developed a cytokine-based preconditioning culture medium to prime the immunomodulatory response of secreted EVs (EVMSC-T-HIFc). We tested the efficacy of this system in vitro and in a delayed-type hypersensitivity mouse model. MSC-T with an HIF-1α-GFP lentiviral vector (MSC-T-HIF) can be effectively expanded to obtain large amounts of EVs without major changes in cell phenotype and EVs composition. EVMSC-T-HIFc suppressed the proliferation of activated T-cells more effectively than did EVs from unmodified MSC in vitro, and significantly blunted the ear-swelling response in vivo by inhibiting cell infiltration and improving tissue integrity. We have developed a long-lived EV source that secretes high quantities of immunosuppressive EVs, facilitating a more standard and cost-effective therapeutic product.
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50
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SUMOylation- and GAR1-Dependent Regulation of Dyskerin Nuclear and Subnuclear Localization. Mol Cell Biol 2021; 41:MCB.00464-20. [PMID: 33526451 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00464-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear and subnuclear compartmentalization of the telomerase-associated protein and H/ACA ribonucleoprotein component dyskerin is an important although incompletely understood aspect of H/ACA ribonucleoprotein function. Four SUMOylation sites were previously identified in the C-terminal nuclear/nucleolar localization signal (N/NoLS) of dyskerin. We found that a cytoplasmic localized C-terminal truncation variant of dyskerin lacking most of the C-terminal N/NoLS represents an under-SUMOylated variant of dyskerin compared to wild-type dyskerin. We demonstrate that mimicking constitutive SUMOylation of dyskerin using a SUMO3 fusion construct can drive nuclear accumulation of this variant and that the SUMO site K467 in this N/NoLS is particularly important for the subnuclear localization of dyskerin to the nucleolus in a mature H/ACA complex assembly- and SUMO-dependent manner. We also characterize a novel SUMO-interacting motif in the mature H/ACA complex component GAR1 that mediates the interaction between dyskerin and GAR1. Mislocalization of dyskerin, either in the cytoplasm or excluded from the nucleolus, disrupts dyskerin function and leads to reduced interaction of dyskerin with the telomerase RNA. These data indicate a role for dyskerin C-terminal N/NoLS SUMOylation in regulating the nuclear and subnuclear localization of dyskerin, which is essential for dyskerin function as both a telomerase-associated protein and as an H/ACA ribonucleoprotein.
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